The "New Vision, New World — OLYMPUS OM-D Masters Photography Exhibition," hosted by Olympus, officially kicked off on the 17th at Parkview Green FangCaoDi in Beijing. Through a rich array of displays and interactive sessions, including works from eight masters, sharing of expert experiences, and photography salons, the organizers guided attendees to explore the high-quality imaging produced by Olympus' Micro Four Thirds cameras and the deep-rooted 94-year photographic culture.
On the 19th, Green Field Network interviewed Teacher Meng Qingran, a member of the China Photographers Association, the China Artistic Photography Society, a director of the Beijing Photographic Art Association, and an Olympus-certified international professional underwater photographer. Teacher Meng Qingran took fellow photography enthusiasts to a brand-new visual world through his rare underwater photography.
Q: Was the fast autofocus of the Olympus OM-D the reason you chose it?
A: In the highly complex underwater environment, fast autofocus is essential. While speed is important, focus accuracy is equally crucial. The Olympus E-M1 features 81-point contrast-detection autofocus with very high precision — a key factor in my choice of Olympus, especially since you can’t capture the same underwater scene twice.
Q: What aspects do you prioritize when choosing equipment for underwater photography?
A. Underwater photography demands a lot from gear. First and foremost, image quality must be excellent to showcase the beauty underwater. The camera’s controls need to be simple and user-friendly because you don’t have as much space to adjust settings as on land. A compact body is also critical—every gram underwater matters for success. I like the OM-D because it meets most of my needs, performs just as well as a DSLR, and comes with built-in underwater macro and wide-angle modes, making it my go-to tool for underwater shooting.
Q: If you could offer any suggestions to Olympus about the OM-D based on your photography needs, what would they be?
A: The OM-D is a fantastic camera for diving photography — compact, high-quality, and most importantly, very stable. The underwater macro and wide-angle modes make the images even more stunning. I hope the OM-D continues to surprise me, and I wish more underwater photography enthusiasts will love it as much as I do.
Teacher Meng not only introduced the mysterious underwater world and shared knowledge on underwater photography and diving with fellow photographers, but he also showcased the OM-D dedicated waterproof housing.
In conversations with photography enthusiasts, Teacher Meng noted: “Underwater photography is a blend of photojournalism and studio photography — you need to be quick on the trigger while maintaining strong technical fundamentals.” Even beneath blue oceans lie terrain and landscapes similar to those on land, creating a dynamic stage for divers and underwater photographers. The "New World, New Vision" — a pinnacle visual feast featuring works by renowned photographers — may have quietly concluded, but Olympus’ inspiring vision for the future of imaging remains an unforgettable memory, deeply influencing the trajectory of the industry and the evolution of photographers’ creative approaches. Through this exhibition by master photographers, we hope to deepen exchanges with photography lovers from all fields, explore the full potential of the OM-D camera together, and become creators of the "New Vision."